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From Zero to Automated: The Best Place to Begin

Operators of print businesses know automation can reduce costs, boost throughput, and improve customer satisfaction, but don’t know where to start. Let’s learn how to kick off your automation journey by walking your workflow, identifying bottlenecks, and building data connectivity across departments. With a clear framework and the right tools, even the most complex print operations can turn automation from a buzzword into a bottom-line advantage.

Tuesday, October 28, 2025

Source: Shutterstock Under License

The value proposition for automation is compelling. Reduce costs. Increase throughput. Save employees from routine, laborious tasks. Boost the bottom line. Improve the customer experience. All are achievable through automation initiatives, but many print companies believe the problems are too complex to solve. They do not know where to begin so they never start their automation journey. Others start only to abandon the effort at the first point of resistance.

Unfortunately, automation is not a product. It isn’t a printing press that can simply be installed and put into production with almost immediate results. Automation requires a framework for the processes used throughout your organization, from the initial customer request through production and final delivery. Today, most automation gains come from connecting data and software solutions, instead of physical automation like robotics. Software automation requires a thorough understanding of your processes, data sources, and existing software solutions to build connectivity that enables automation. No or limited connectivity equals limited automation.


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About Pat McGrew and Ryan McAbee

Pat is a well-known evangelist for inkjet productivity. At McGrew Group, she uses her decades technical and marketing experience to lead the industry toward optimized business processes and production workflows. She has helped companies to define their five-year plans, audited workflow processes, and developed sales team interventions and education programs. Pat is the Co-Author of 8 industry books, editor of A Guide to the Electronic Document Body of Knowledge, and a regular contributor to Inkjet Insight and WhatTheyThink.com. Ryan McAbee is Chief Analyst at Pixel Dot Consulting LLC.

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